Manufacture of golf-balls.



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UNrrnD STATES PATENT Current.

ELEAZER KEMPSHALL, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THEKEMISI-IALLMANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NElV JERSEY.

MANUFACTURE oF GOLF-BALLS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 697,423, dated April 8,1902.

Application filed February 111, 1902. Serial No. 94,006. (No model.)

T0 all whom it nwty concern.-

Be it known that I, ELEAZER KEMPSHALL, a citizen of the United States,residing in Boston, in the county of Su (folk and State ofMassachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inManufacture of Golf- Balls, of which the following is aspeciication.

This invention relates to balls such as used in golf and cert-ain othergames.

In my pending application filed September 27, 1901, Serial No. 76,814,is illustrated a ball constructed with a relatively hard or stiff butspringy shell, which is filled with an elastic substance that is heldunder compression by the shell, whereby the latter is supported againstdistortion. produced bya blow, the

constant elastic outward pressure of the core tending to maintain theshell in spherical shape and cooperating with the natural springiness ofthe shell to enhance the efficiency of the ball. In another pendingapplication tiled September 30, 1901, Serial No.

76,951, the relatively soft material of the core is first provided witha jacket bywinding twine layer over layer around the same, the ball thuspreliminarily formed being oversize, the shell-segments being thenplaced over such ball and the whole subjected to compression under theaction of the heat, so as to enable the shell to contract more readilyto its finished size. In still another pending application tiledNovember 8, 1901, Serial No. 81,565, Ishow the inner core provided witha firmly iitting tension envelop, which compresses the core, preventsthe material of which the nucleus is com posed from escaping between theedges of the projecting shell-segments as they are compressed thereover,and also possesses qualities which increase the elasticity andeectiveness of the finished ball. Y

My present improvements relate chietly to an improvement in the cover ofthe ball, whereby the same is rendered more efficient and durable.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification,Figure' 1 is a view, partly broken away, of a ball made in accordancewith my present improvements. Fig. 2 is a view of a jacketed .inner ballincased with incompletely-cured celluloid. Fig. 3 illustrates a methodof compressing a shell upon a ball, and Fig. 4 is a viewof an elasticcore.

Similar parts are designated by similar characters of reference in theseveral drawings.

The shell (designated at A, Fig. 1) may consist of celluloid, while thenucleus or core B may consist of any suitable material, such as rubberof suitable consistency or guttapercha; but preferably I form the corein this instance by winding rubber threads into the form of a ball, a'sat C, Fig. 4. I inclose this core in an envelop consisting of one ormore layers of elastic belting D, which may be woven of a suitablewidth-say three-quarters of an inch-or may be produced by cuttingelastic webbing or fabric into strips. This elastic belting I put undertension While winding it around the core, so that it iirmly tits andcompresses the core, whatever may be the substance or form of thelatter, although the elastic beltin g is especially effective when thecore is of the kind illustrated at Fig. 4. Acharacteristic of elasticbelting when used for this purpose is that it draws right down into aspherical form or clings closely for its entire width'to the core, thusnot only holding vthe same under compression, but also making apractically smooth and uniform jacket or blanket around the latter. Inits original shape the core is substantially round, although it maydepart from the spherical form within the scope of the invention; but Iprefer that its bulk shall be a little too large for the inal capacityof the shell.

Upon the belted core I place a cover of partially-cu red celluloid,preferably in the form of hemispherical blanks E and F, which may bestuck upon the core by means of a solution of celluloid. The preliminaryball thus formed and seen at Fig. 2 I inclose in hemispherical segmentsA' and A2, Fig. 3. The parts thus assembled are placed betweenforming-dies-as, for instance, G and H whereupon the latter are pressedtogether. The dies may be heated, so as to bring the material of theshell into suitable condition and consistency both for uniting theportions thereof and also for facilitating the compress- IOO ing andshaping action of the dies. Thedies may be allowed to cool before theballs are taken out, so as to give the shells an opportunity toreharden, whereby theyarc enabled to retain their shape when removed.The abutting edges of the outer segments at A3 may be made somewhatfull, thereby to furnish material for properly forming the joint betweenthem as they are subjected to the final compression. The fibrous portionof the jacket serves to prevent the heat of the dies from escaping intothe core, whereby injury of the latter is prevented and whereby also theshells maybe united without the employment of an undue amount. of heat.

It will be understood that the layers of the shell are compressedbetween the dies and the resisting mass of the ball contained therein,and since said core is first prepared somewhat oversize the resistancethereof while under such compression furnishes a substantial support forsustaining the relativelyT thin shell against any desired pressure. Theapplication of celluloid solution to the jacket of elastic beltingpermeates the fibers of the latter, so that it becomes at thefinishingoperation firmly incorporated with the shell.

By the expedient of lining the outer shell layer with incom pletely-cured celluloid I am enabled to employ for said outer layer celluloidwhich is highly seasoned, and hence tough, durable, and well tempered,these qualities being enhanced because of the thinness of said layer,while the solvent present in the semicured lining is sufficient at theheating and compressing operation to permeate the outer shell andrenderthe same plastic, the layers of celluloid adhering or weldingtogether and becoming closely compacted under pressure. In the finishedshell the qualities of the thin and well-cured layer A are present,while the shell is also of sufficient thickness to enable it to fulfilthe requirements of the ball. The layer E F not only aids in the moldingof the outer layer, but also, by reason of its greater plasticity,serves to compensate for local irregularities in the form of both theouter shell and the inner ball, thinning out at points where the innerball is close to the outer shell and also filling up any cavities thatmay be present, thus thoroughly uniting the outer shell layer 0 ltlhecore and improving the qualit-ies of the By reason of its elasticity thecore coperates with the springy shell, so as to restore the latterinstantly to its normal shape after distortion by a blow. The efficiencyof the filling for this purpose is greatly enhanced by having itconstantly undercompression, since the expansive pressure thereof in alldirections tends constantly to maintain a spherical shape of the shell.

From the foregoing it will be seen thatthe finished ball comprises arelatively soft clas` tic core, a relatively hard springy laminatedshell, and an intermediate layer of tensioned elastic belting or fabric.This layer, it will be seen, forms a fibrous reinforcement for the shellitself and is of great value, since the force of a blow is diffused, andhence the ball is generally altered from its true spherical shape,whereby the elasticityof the core acts over a large area withgreatly-increased. effectiveness. The usual tendency of a. shell,especially when the latter is made of thin celluloid, is to dent insharply, thus affecting only the part of the core which is right behindthe area of impact and affecting onlya small portion of the core, sothat only this small portion of the core is effective in returning theshell to its original shape, whereas by placing a jacket of elasticfabric under tension over the core sharp indentation of the shell isprevented, since if the jacket is pushed inwardly anywhere a large areathereof is, owing to its longitudinal tension, necessarily affected anddragged inwardly to a slight extent, so that instead of a deepindentation being produced in the core over a small area the latter isslightly flattened over a large area, and thereby the entire shape ofthe core as well as the shell is a little distorted, and in consequencethe whole energyof the imprisoned mass added to the natural resiliencyof the elastic belting is called upon and the ball is restored instantlyto its normal position. Moreover, said elastic belting to a materialextent relieves the shell from the stress due to the outward orexpanding pressu re ofthe compressed elastic core,so that the shell isless liable to deteriorate or crack and its life is greatly prolonged.In this connection it will be perceived that the compression of theinner ball at the finishing operation does not materially reduce thelongitudinal tension of the elastic belting at any part, so that thesame is effective to restrain the core after the ball is finished. Thusit will be seen that the elastic fabric forms an excellent backing orbase for the shell and that the extra plastic lining-blanks E and Fserve to compensate for the irregularities of the belted core, so thatat all points the shell is effectually joined to the core or to thebelting thereon.

In using the term celluloid I refer to celluloid or pyroxylin compoundsgenerally and do not limit myself to any particular variety or grade ormixture.

The herein-described playing-ball is made the subject-matter of mypending application, Serial No. 89,800, filed January l5, 1902.

Other kinds of cores may be employed in connection with a celluloidshell having an extra plastic lining.

A ball-shell made of layers each of which is made in segments, thejoints of the segments crossing, is made the subject-matter of my otherpending application, Serial No. 88,410, filed January et, 1902.

Having described my invention, I claiml. A process in producingplaying-balls, consisting in incasing a core or filling in a layer ofincompletely cured celluloid, and

IOO

compressing a shell of highly seasoned or cured celluloid thereon.

2. A process in producing playing-balls, consisting in incasing a Coreor filling With a shell consisting of a plurality of layers, at leastone of said layers being incompletely- Cured celluloid, and at least oneother of said layers inclosing said layer and Consisting ot'highly-seasoned Celluloid, and Causing said layers to unite or Weld bymeans of heat and compression. y

3. Aprocess in producing playing-balls,

consisting in incasing a springy core cr-iill-A ing within a shellconsisting of a plurality of layers, at least one of said layersconsisting of incompletely-Cured celluloid, and at least one other ofsaid layers inclosing said layer and consisting of highly-seasonedcelluloid, andv subjecting said layers to heat and compressionsuiiicient to join or Weld said layers and put saidcore or filling undercompression.

1. A process iu producing playing-balls,

consisting in incasing a springy core or fillconsisting in cementing alayerof incomf" pletely-cured celluloid u ponia spriugy core or lling,inclosing the ball thus formed in a` shell Consisting partially orWholly of highly.

seasoned celluloid, heating and compressing the ball thus formed, andContinuing the compression While the shell hardens.

6. A process in producing playing-balls, consisting in covering a corewithv layers of celluloid and fabric; at least two layersof Celluloidbeing employed, and the outer layer thereof being more seasoned than theinner layer; subjecting the ball thus assembled to heat and compression;and continuing the compression While the shell hardens.

7. A process in producing playing-balls, consisting in covering a Corewith previouslyformed layers of celluloid and causing said layers tojoin or weld under heat and compression.

8. A process in producing playing-balls, consisting incovering a springyCore with a layer of fabric and layers of Celluloid and causing all ofsaid layers to unite under heat and compression.

9. A process in yproducing playing -balls, consisting in heating andcompressing Wellcured and incompletely-cured celluloid upon a springycore and causing the compression to be continued While the shellhardens.

10. A process in producing playing-balls consisting in winding elasticbelting upon a thus assembled to heat and compression;

a tensionedelastic jacket, and compressing heated layers ofhighly-seasoned and incompletely-cured celluloid thereon. 1 Y' 12. Aprocess in producing playing-balls,

^ consisting in solidifyingunderheatandpres- -sure a-springy core, atensioned elastic jacketl upon said core, and layers of celluloidincasconsisting in compressing inner and outer shell-segments overafilling previously prepared With a tensioued'elasticCompressionjacket.4

14. A process of producing playing-balls,

segments ot' highly-seasoned and incompletely-cured celluloid an elasticCore-having'a and forcingthe segments toge-theigicausing their edges toweld or adhere, and causing the shell to harden while'under compression.15. A processin producing playing-balls, consisting in winding elasticbelting under tension upon a springy core, inserting the ballthus formedin a laminated Celluloid shell, and subjecting-the whole to compressionand heat.

16. A process in making the same with a Covering consisting of fabricandlayers of Celluloid, subjecting the whole -to heatfand compression,and continuing the vvcompression While theshell hardens.

17. A process in making playin g-balls, consisting in making a core ofrubber, providing the same with a coveringconsisting of elastic beltingand layers of celluloid, subjecting the Whole to heat and compression,and continuing the compression While the shell hardens.

18. A process in producing playin g-balls,

tension into the form of a ball, Winding elastic belting under tensionupon said ball, inclosing the ball thus formed inlayers of inandsubjecting the Whole to compression and heat. v

19. A process in producing playing-balls, consistingin incasing a `coreor filling in a layer of incompletely-Cured celluloid, compressingsegments of highly seasoned or cured together.

20.' A process in producing playing-balls, consisting in incasing acoreor filling with a shell consisting of a plurality of layers, at leastone of said layers being .in the form of segments of inCompletely-curedcelluloid, and at least one other of said layers inclosing said 1l. Aprocess in producing playing-balls, consistingin formingahard,springy`core withconsisting-in inserting Within laminatedshellcompression-jacket under tension, heating playing-balls, consistingin making a core of rubber, providing consisting in Winding rubberthread under.

completely-Cured and Well-cured celluloid,A

celluloid thereon and -Welding said segments j i layer and consisting ofsegments of highlyf spriugycore, cementing said belting, inclosing thebeltedv Core in a shell Consisting of layers of celluloid, andsubjecting the ball t ing said jacket. -"80' 13. A process inproducing'playing-balls? IOO IIO

IIS

seasoned Celluloid, and Causin g all of said segments to Weld togetherby means of heat and compression, so as to form an entire shell.

2l. A process in producing playing-balls, consisting in incasing aspringy core or filling within a shell Consisting of a plurality oflayers, at least one of said layers consisting of incompletely-curedCelluloid, and at least one other of said layers inclosing said layerand consisting of segments of highly-seasoned Celluloid, subjecting saidlayers to heat and compression suflicient to join or weld said layersand Weld said segments at their edges and also put said Core or fillingunder compression, and maintaining the compression while the shellhardens.

22. Aprocess in producing playing-balls, Consisting in Cementing a layerof incompletely-Cured Celluloid upon a springy core or filling,inclosing the ball thus formed in segments consisting partially orwholly of highlyseasoned Celluloid, heating and com pressing the ballthus formed, and continuing the Compression while the shell hardens.

23. A process in producing playing-balls, consisting in covering a coreWith layers of Celluloid and fabric; at least two layers of Celluloidbeing employed, and the outer layer thereof consisting of hemisphericalsegments and being more seasoned than the innerlayer; subjecting the.ball thus assembled to heat and compression; and continuing thecompression while the shell hardens.

24E. A process in producing playing-balls, Consisting in covering a corewith previouslyformed layers of Celluloid each layer being in the formof segments, and causing said layers to join or weld together and saidsegments to Weld at their edges under heat and compression.

25. A process in producing playing-balls, Consisting in heating andcompressing and welding well-Cured segments and incompletely-curedsegments of Celluloid upon a springy core and causing the compression tobe Continued While the shell hardens.

26. A process in producing playing-balls consisting in winding elasticbelting upon a springy Core, Cementing said belting, inclosing thebelted Core in segments of Celluloid, inclosing the ball thus formed inother segments of Celluloid, and subjecting the ball thus assembled tosimultaneous heat and compression.

27. A process in producing playing-balls, consisting in formingahard,springycore with a tensioned elastic jacket, and heatingl andcompressing highly-seasoned segments and incompletelycured segments ofCelluloid thereon.

28. A process in producing playing-balls, Consistingin solidifying underheat and pressure a springy core, a tensioned elastic jacket upon saidcore, and layers of Celluloid in segmental form incasiug said jacket.

ELEAZER KEMPSHALL.

Vitnesses:

B. C. STICKNEY, JOHN O. SEIFERT.

